Slaves

By Mary Vee

Genesis 50:22-26

Joseph took care of his brothers and their families until he turned 110 years old.  He saw his great-grandchildren grow up.  One day Joseph realized he would die.  He called for his children, their families and his brothers, and their families together for a meeting.

"Pharaoh calls us the children of Israel. I want you to know God will take care of you after I'm gone, don’t be afraid.  He will take you back to the land given to our fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  When that day comes, promise me you will carry my bones from here."

The children of Israel promised to do so.  Many years passed. A new king came to power in Egypt. No one told him about Joseph or the great things Joseph did for the country.  One day he called a meeting of his advisers.

"Have you noticed all the children of Israel who are living here?"

The chief advisor moaned. "Yes, Great Pharaoh.  It concerns me.  Recent numbers show there are more of them than us."

Pharaoh walked to his balcony. He noticed a few Israelite men in the court below.  "They’ve grown into mighty men as well.  What if a war starts?  They might join with one of our enemies to overpower us."

"Might I suggest, Pharaoh, that we set taskmasters over them. Make them build cities, work in our fields, and do household labor."

Pharaoh nodded.  "Excellent idea.  They'll be too exhausted from working to get married and have families.  Go at once. Take my ring and seal any document necessary.  Put this plan into action at once!"

The armies of Egypt followed Pharaoh's orders. They took all the children of Israel and made them slaves.  Egyptian taskmasters carried whips to punish any of their new slaves who wouldn't work fast.

A few years later Pharaoh called his adviser to his chamber again. "The plan has failed. Those Israelites have grown in number instead of decreasing."

"Great Pharaoh, my information confirms what your words.  I don’t understand. I’ve checked on the taskmasters. They’re harsh just as we ordered. I don't know why; you’ve seen the buildings they’ve made.”

Pharaoh paced from the balcony back to the chamber.  “What if we told the midwives to kill all baby boys?”

“Excellent idea, Pharaoh.  A new generation will not rise up without boys.”

Pharaoh called for the midwives. “As the women of Israel give birth, you are to notice if they have a boy or girl.  It the woman has a girl, let the baby live. If she has a son, kill him.”

Messengers reported baby boys continued to be born to the children of Israel.

Pharaoh called for the midwives.  “Why didn't you  kill the boy babies as I ordered?”

One midwife stepped forward. “Great Pharaoh. The women from the children of Israel are fast when giving birth to boys. The babies are born before we get there.”

Pharaoh is really angry.  What will he do next?  Why did he want to kill the boy babies? Why didn’t the midwives kill the boy babies?

Can Judah Save His Little Brother?

By Mary Vee
Genesis 44:14-45:8

Joseph stepped back slightly from the balcony edge as the guards came into view with his brothers. Their heads are bowed. They aren't struggling to get free. This isn't what I expected.

He turned as their footsteps echoed in the corridor. Then a knock. "My lord, we've brought the thieves."

Joseph shook his head. There is no way they've changed. My brothers sold me into slavery. They only care about themselves. I must be strong--yes strong--and save Benjamin from them. He can live with me here. They'll probably cheer when they leave. He balled his fist and raised his chin. "Bring them before me."

The guards shoved the Hebrew men into the room as they wood any group of criminals. They stumble but regain their balance. Without a signal all eleven brothers bowed to the floor before the governor.

Joseph folded his arms and scowled. "What deed have you done. Did you honestly think a man such a I would not know you stole my private cup?"

Judah raised his eyes slightly. "What can we say to you, my lord? What could be our defense to clear our names?" He shook his head and sighed. "God has found our sin. Here we are, your slaves, both we, and the one with whom the cup was found." Judah lowered his head to the floor.

"Oh, No." Joseph raised his hand. "Far be it from me to keep all of you here. The only one to be my slave is the one who had the cup. As for the rest of you, leave. Leave in peace and go to your father."

The guard grabbed Benjamin and pulled him to the side. He signaled the brothers to get up. Judah turned to face the governor. He pressed his hands together and took a deep breath. "O my lord, please, let your servant speak and do not let your anger burn against me, for you as powerful as Pharaoh."

Judah retold the who story of what Joseph asked them to do from their first visit to this time. At the end of his testimony Judah looked at the governor and bowed his knees. "Now therefore, please let me stay instead of the boy as a slave to my lord and let the lad go u with his brothers. How can I go to my father if the lad is not with me and risk seeing the evil that would come to my father?"

Joseph's heart boomed in his chest. He cares about Benjamin! He cares about Father! He looked at the other brothers to see what their faces showed. They've huddled toward Benjamin. Their faces, they truly care about him.

How can I bear this pretense any longer? I must tell them who I am. "Guards. Servants. All but these eleven men--leave this room at once."

"Yes, my lord." The brother's eyes grew wide as they found themselves alone--alone with the governor.

Joseph couldn't hold his tears any longer. Tears fell down his cheeks and his body sobbed. He cried so loud the whole household heard. The eleven brothers looked at each other and cowerd toward the wall.

"Come near," Joseph spoke in perfect Hebrew. "Do not be afraid. I am Joseph. Is Father still alive?" His brothers stayed back toward the wall. They don't believe me. "Please come near."

Judah signaled them to walk to the governor. Joseph took a deep breath and wiped tears away. He held his arms out toward them. "I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold as a slave. Don't be angry with yourselves because you sold me here because God sent me before you to preserve life. God sent me before you to preserve food for you and your families that the Hebrews might continue to live on earth."

Many years had passed since his brothers had seen Joseph. He had changed. He wore Egyptian clothes, he became a governor, he spoke the Egyptian language. The brothers had no idea this man was Joseph. What do you think they did when they found out?

God took care of Joseph all these years while he lived in Egypt. Life was difficult for him, but the survived. God gave him the knowledge and skills to organize a program to store food for the famine.

God has a plan for you as well. How has God taken care of you this week?